Alaska Region Forest Service
and State ADF&G Seek Concurrence to Protect Fish Habitat
and Fish Passage

December 21, 2009
Monday

Juneau, Alaska- Alaska Forest Service Regional Forester Denny
Bschor signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game that outlines protocols for gaining
concurrence in conducting instream activites on the Tongass and
Chugach national forests December 18.

Kerry Howard, Director,
ADF&G Habitat Division, and USFS Regional Forester Denny
Bschor congratulate each other in Bschor's Juneau office after
he signed an MOU between the two agencies that outlines collaboration
processes for protecting fish habitat and passages on national
forest lands in Alaska. (USFS Official photo)

The memorandum of understanding
(MOU) was signed by ADF&G Commissioner Denby Lloyd December
10. Both agencies have the common goal of protecting fish resources
on Alaska's national forests while continuing a long-standing
cooperative relationship. The Forest Service and ADF&G's
Division of Habitat will work together to reach concurrence on
all instream activities and to maintain fish passage in all fish-bearing
water bodies on national forests in Alaska.

The agencies make commitments
to protect fish habitat and fish passages and use a collaborative
process to reach concurrence prior to conducting instream activities
under the MOU. They also pledge, when practical, to develop
general concurrences as addendums to the MOU and to resolve disputes
regarding instream activities in a timely manner and to only
elevate the dispute within the agencies as a last resort.

"This MOU falls under
a broad Master MOU the State and the Forest Service have been
operating under for several years," said Denny Bschor.
"It outlines, in more detail, the process for delineating
windows of opportunity to conduct instream activities in fish-bearing
water bodies on the national forests. This MOU also outlines
a process for gaining concurrence when there is a difference
of opinion on the timing of instream activities."

The Master MOU established
a framework that recognized the responsibilities for both agencies
to cooperate in the common stewardship of fish, wildlife, and
their habitats on national forests in Alaska.